not worthy the royal dignity to receive?” The sultan commanded the package to be opened; when, lo! it contained a complete dress of royal apparel, richer than had ever been before seen, at which the sultan was astonished, and exclaimed, “Heavens!  I have nothing like this, nor ever possessed so magnificent a suit; it shall be accepted:  but inform me, Shekh, what thou requirest in return for so valuable an offering.”  “Mighty sovereign,” replied I, “my wish is to become thy relation by espousing that precious gem of the casket of beauty, thy incomparable daughter.”

When the sultan had heard this request, he turned towards his vizier and said, “Advise me how I should act in this affair.”  Upon which the minister replied, “Shew him, my lord, your most valuable diamond, and inquire if he has any one equally precious to match it as a marriage present for your daughter.”  The sultan did so; when I said, “If I present two, will you give me your daughter?” To which he assented, and I took my leave, carrying with me the diamond, to shew the young man as a model.  Upon my arrival at our serai, I informed him of what passed, when he examined the diamond, and said, “The day is now far spent, but tomorrow I will procure ten like it, which thou shalt present to the sultan.”  Accordingly in the morning he walked out, and in the space of an hour returned with ten diamonds, which he gave me, and I hastened with them to the sultan.  When he beheld the precious stones he was enraptured at their brilliancy, and again consulted his vizier how he should act in this business.  “My lord,” replied the minister, “you only required one diamond of the Shekh, and he has presented you with ten:  it is therefore incumbent upon you to give him your daughter.”

The sultan now sent for the cauzees and effendis, who drew up the deed of espousals, which they gave me, when I returned to our serai, and shewed it to the young man, who said, “It is well; go and complete thy marriage; but I entreat that thou wilt not consummate thy nuptials till I shall give thee permission.”  “To hear is to obey,” replied I. When it was night I entered the princess’s apartment, but sat down at a distance from her, and did not speak till morning, when I bade her farewell, and took my leave for the day.  I observed the same conduct the second night and the third, upon which, offended at my coldness, she complained to her mother, who informed the sultan of my affronting behaviour.

The sultan sent for me to his presence, and with much anger threatened, if I should continue my coldness to the princess another evening, that he would put me to death.  Upon this I hastened to inform my friend at the serai, who commanded, that when I should next be alone with my wife I should demand of her a bracelet which she wore upon her right arm, and bring it to him, after which I might consummate my nuptials.  I replied, “To hear is to obey;” and the next evening, when I entered the apartment, said to